Synthesis of A2B6‐Type [36]Octaphyrins: Copper(II)‐Metalation‐Induced Fragmentation Reactions to Porphyrins and N‐Fusion Reactions of meso‐(3‐Thienyl) Substituents

5,10,15‐Tris(pentafluorophenyl)tetrapyrromethane was efficiently prepared through a route involving stepwise diaroylation of 5‐pentafluorophenyldipyrromethane. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins were prepared by the cross condensation of the tetrapyrromethane with aryl aldehydes in moderate yields. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins bearing 2,4,6‐trifluorophenyl, 2,6‐dichlorophenyl, and phenyl substituents underwent Cu^II‐metalation‐induced fragmentation to give two molecules of AB₃‐type Cu^II porphyrins. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrin bearing 3‐thienyl substituents underwent thermal N‐thienyl fusion reactions to provide a modestly aromatic [38]octaphyrin, which, upon treatment with MnO₂, underwent further N‐thienyl fusion and subsequent oxidation to give a nonaromatic doubly N‐thienyl fused [36]octaphyrin.     

Controlled Generation of 9‐Boratriptycene by Lewis Adduct Dissociation: Accessing a Non‐Planar Triarylborane

A highly bent triarylborane, 9‐boratriptycene, was generated in solution by selective protodeboronation of the corresponding tetra‐aryl boron ate complex with the strong Brønsted acid HNTf₂. The iptycene core confers enhanced Lewis acidity to 9‐boratriptycene, making it unique in terms of structure and reactivity. We studied the stereoelectronic properties of 9‐boratriptycene by quantifying its association with small N‐ and O‐centered Lewis bases, as well as with sterically hindered phosphines. The resultant Lewis adducts exhibited unique structural, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties. Beyond the high pyramidalization of the 9‐boratriptycene scaffold and its low reorganization energy upon Lewis base coordination, quantum chemical calculations revealed that the absence of π donation from the triptycene aryl rings to the boron vacant p_z orbital is one of the main reasons for its high Lewis acidity.     

Controlled Generation of 9-Boratriptycene by Lewis Adduct Dissociation: Accessing a Non-Planar Triarylborane

A highly bent triarylborane, 9-boratriptycene, was generated in solution by selective protodeboronation of the corresponding tetra-aryl boron ate complex with the strong Brønsted acid HNTf₂. The iptycene core confers enhanced Lewis acidity to 9-boratriptycene, making it unique in terms of structure and reactivity. We studied the stereoelectronic properties of 9-boratriptycene by quantifying its association with small N- and O-centered Lewis bases, as well as with sterically hindered phosphines. The resultant Lewis adducts exhibited unique structural, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties. Beyond the high pyramidalization of the 9-boratriptycene scaffold and its low reorganization energy upon Lewis base coordination, quantum chemical calculations revealed that the absence of π donation from the triptycene aryl rings to the boron vacant p_z orbital is one of the main reasons for its high Lewis acidity.     

Unveiling 79‐Year‐Old Ixene and Its BN‐Doped Derivative

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are key components of organic electronics. The electronic properties of these carbon‐rich materials can be controlled through doping with heteroatoms such as B and N, however, few convenient syntheses of BN‐doped PAHs have been reported. Described herein is the rationally designed, two‐step syntheses of previously unknown ixene and BN‐doped ixene (B₂N₂‐ixene), and their characterizations. Compared to ixene, B₂N₂‐ixene absorbs longer‐wavelength light and has a smaller electrochemical energy gap. In addition to its single‐crystal structure, scanning tunneling microscopy revealed that B₂N₂‐ixene adopts a nonplanar geometry on a Au(111) surface. The experimentally obtained electronic structure of B₂N₂‐ixene and the effect of BN‐doping were confirmed by DFT calculations. This synthesis enables the efficient and convenient construction of BN‐doped systems with extended π‐conjugation that can be used in versatile organic electronics applications.     

Benzotriazole derivatives as long wavelength photosensitizers for diaryliodonium salt initiators

Two benzotriazole derivative dyes 4,7‐bis(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐5‐yl)‐2‐dodecyl‐2H‐benzo[1,2,3]triazole, and 2‐dodecyl‐4,7‐bis(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole are shown to work as efficient photosensitizers for a diphenyliodonium salt initiator in cationic photopolymerization of epoxide and vinyl monomers. Substituted thienyl groups are attached to benzotriazole backbone to extend conjugation and enhance electron density of the molecules. Thereby, it was possible to initiate polymerizations at room temperature using long wavelength UV and visible light. The progress of photopolymerizations was monitored using optical pyrometry. The photopolymerization of an epoxide monomer using solar irradiation was also demonstrated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Controlling the Optoelectronic Properties of Pyrene by Regioselective Lewis Base-Directed Electrophilic Aromatic Borylation

Given that pyrene represents one of the most versatile chromophores, the development of new selective routes for its functionalization and tuning of its emission properties is highly desirable. Pyrene-based BN Lewis pair (LP)-functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were prepared by regioselective Lewis base-directed electrophilic aromatic substitution. The requisite 1,6-dipyridylpyrene ligands were accessed by Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of 1,6-bis(pinacolatoboryl)pyrenes with 2-bromopyridine derivatives. Subsequent electrophilic borylation with BCl₃ in the presence of AlCl₃ and 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine as a hindered base produced the dichloroborane complexes, which were then in situ reacted with diphenyl or diethyl zinc. The presence or absence of alkyl chains in the 3,8-positions of the pyrene moiety determined the position of the B−C bond formation (2,7 in the non-K region versus 5,10 in the K region) and thereby also the size of the BN heterocycle (five- versus six-membered). The impact of the regioisomeric borylation on the electrochemical, photophysical and structural properties was investigated and the conclusions supported by theoretical calculations. The rapid synthesis of derivatives that are borylated in the K region also suggests strong potential for the development of pyrene derivatives that are otherwise difficult to access.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Heterocyclic Compounds Containing Thienylbenzo[h]Quinoline Moiety

In this paper the reaction of 2‐(2′‐thienylmethylene)‐3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2(1H)‐one ( 1 ) with cyanothioacetamide gave a mixture of 3‐cyano‐5,6‐dihydro‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)‐benzo[h]quinolin‐2(1H)‐thione ( 2 ) and the related disulfide 3 . Compound 2 was reacted with some halo compounds namely; ethyl chloroacetate, chloroacetamide, chloro(N‐(p‐chlorophenyl))acetamide, N¹‐chloroacetylsulfanilamide, and 2‐chloromethyl‐1H‐benzimidazole to produce a series of 2‐(substituted)methylthio‐3‐cyano‐5,6‐dihydro‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)benzo[h]quinolines 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e and 11 . Upon heating the latter compounds with sodium ethoxide, they underwent intramolecular Thorpe–Zeigler cyclization to furnish the corresponding 2‐(substituted)‐3‐amino‐5,6‐dihydro‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)‐benzo[h]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolines 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e and 12 . (3‐Cyano‐5,6‐dihydro‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)‐benzo[h]quinolin‐2‐ylthio)acethydrazide ( 8 ) and the related isomer, 3‐amino‐5,6‐dihydro‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)thieno[2,3‐b]benzo[h]quinoline‐2‐carbohydrazide ( 9 ), were also synthesized. Most of the aforementioned compounds were used as key intermediates for synthesizing other benzo[h]quinolines, benzo[h]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolines as well as benzo[h]pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5] thieno[2,3‐b]quinolines. The structure of all synthesized compounds was confirmed by spectroscopic measurements and analytical analyses.     

Octaboraneyl Complexes of Nickel: Monomers for Redox-Active Coordination Polymers

Herein, we establish the preparation, characterization, and reactivity of a new diphosphine ligand, 1,2-bis(di(3-dicyclohexylboraneyl)propylphosphino)ethane (P₂B^Cy₄), a scaffold that contains four pendant boranes. An entryway into the coordination chemistry of P₂B^Cy₄ is established by using nickel, providing the octaboraneyl complex [Ni(P₂B^Cy₄)₂]—this species contains a boron-rich secondary coordination sphere that reacts readily with Lewis bases. In the case of 4,4′-bipyridine, an air-sensitive coordination polymer is obtained. Characterization of this material by solid-state NMR and EPR spectroscopy reveals the presence of a charge-transfer polymer, which forms as a function of intramolecular Ni→4,4′-bpy electron transfer (ET), providing an array of oxidized nickel sites and reduced 4,4′-bpy radical anion sites. Notably, the related intermolecular reaction between the model fragments [Ni(dnppe)₂] (dnppe=1,2-bis(di-n-propylphosphino)ethane) and a bis(boraneyl)-protected 4,4′-bpy, provides no ET. Overall, the P₂B^Cy₄ fragment provides a unique opportunity for Lewis base activation, in one case allowing for the facile construction of monomers for incorporation into redox-active macromolecules.     

Polymerization of 1-aryl-2-trimethylsilylacetylenes by transition metal catalysts(II)

Polymerization of 1-aryl-2-trimethylsilylacetylene (aryl = thienyl, furyl, and pyridyl) was carried out by transition metal catalysts. The polymer yield was generally low due to the steric hindrance. R₄Sn (R = Me, n-Bu, Ph) exhibits some cocatalytic activities with respect to polymer yield and molecular weight. On the other hand, the polymerization was decelerated when organoaluminum compounds were used as cocatalysts. The polymer yield increased in the following order: phenyl > thienyl > furyl > pyridyl, according to the aryl substituents. The NMR (¹H- and ¹³C-), IR, and UV-visible spectra indicated that the resulting polymers have a linear conjugated polyene structure each containing the aromatic substituent and trimethylsilyl group. From ¹H-NMR integration, it was found that the resulting polymers are partially desilylated depending on the substituents of monomer and the polymerization conditions. The solubility behavior, stability and fluoride-ion induced desilylation reaction of the polymers were also studied.     

Cyclic Amine/Borane Lewis Pairs by the Reaction of N,N‐Diallylaniline with Lancaster′s H2B‐C6F5 Reagent

Twofold hydroboration of N,N‐diallylaniline with the C₆F₅BH₂?SMe₂ reagent gave the respective hetero‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octane and hetero‐methylbicyclo[3.2.0]heptane compounds 4 and 5 as the major products, both showing strong internal N‐B amine Lewis base/borane Lewis acid adduct formation. A DFT analysis indicated their formation (and that of a small amount of several isomeric five‐membered heterocyclic products) under thermodynamic control. Compound 5 underwent fragmentation with propene liberation to form compound 7 with a formal N=B bond at 100 °C. This product was also obtained from the isomer 4 at much higher temperature (300 °C).     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Anionic sp2–sp3 Diboron Compounds: Readily Accessible Boryl Nucleophiles

Lewis base adducts of tetra‐alkoxy diboron compounds, in particular bis(pinacolato)diboron (B₂pin₂), have been proposed as the active source of nucleophilic boryl species in metal‐free borylation reactions. We report the isolation and detailed structural characterization (by solid‐state and solution NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography) of a series of anionic adducts of B₂pin₂ with hard Lewis bases, such as alkoxides and fluoride. The study was extended to alternative Lewis bases, such as acetate, and other diboron reagents. The B(sp²)–B(sp³) adducts exhibit two distinct boron environments in the solid‐state and solution NMR spectra, except for [(4‐tBuC₆H₄O)B₂pin₂]^?, which shows rapid site exchange in solution. DFT calculations were performed to analyze the stability of the adducts with respect to dissociation. Stoichiometric reaction of the isolated adducts with two representative series of organic electrophiles—namely, aryl halides and diazonium salts—demonstrate the relative reactivities of the anionic diboron compounds as nucleophilic boryl anion sources.     

Ru catalyzed cyclodimerization of bis(2‐thienyl)acetylene and bis(3‐thienyl)acetylene. Synthesis properties of 4,5,6‐tris(2‐thienyl)benzo(b)thiophene and 5,6,7‐tris(3‐thienyl)benzo[b]thiophene

Activated dihydridocarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium catalyzes the cyclodimerization of both bis(2‐thienyl)acetylene and bis(3‐thienyl)acetylene to yield, respectively, 4,5,6‐tris(2′‐thienyl)‐benzo[b]thiophene and 5,6,7‐tris(3′‐thienyl)benzo[b]thiophene. These fluoresce in the blue. Both undergo irreversible one electron oxidation at & sim1.1 mV versus Ag/Ag⁺ electrode, consistent with oxidation of the benzo[b]thiophene nuclei rather than the substituent thiophene rings.     

Valence-bond calculations on N2 and isoelectronic species

Valence-bond calculations are reported for the isoelectronic series of molecules and ions: N₂, CO, BF, NO⁺ and CN^?. The most important structures are N?N, C?O, B_π? F, N⁺?O and C?N. Hybridization of the 2s and 2p orbitals is important. Only two or three structures are required to obtain an energy lower than that obtained with the molecular orbital approximation. Structures in which the electronegative element loses a σ-orbital or gains a π-orbital are favored. π-bonds tend to be favored over σ-bonds. The bond in NO⁺ resembles that in CO, whereas that in CN^? resembles the bonding in N₂.     

Dihydrogen Activation with a Neutral,Intermolecular Silicon(IV)-Amine Frustrated Lewis Pair

The heterolytic cleavage of dihydrogen constitutes the hallmark reaction of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP). While being well-established for planar Lewis acids, such as boranes or silylium ions, the observation of the primary H₂ splitting products with non-planar Lewis acid FLPs remained elusive. In the present work, we report bis(perfluoro-N-phenyl-ortho-amidophenolato)silane and its application in dihydrogen activation to a fully characterized hydridosilicate. The strict design of the Lewis acid, the limited selection of the Lewis base, and the distinct reaction conditions emphasize the narrow tolerance to achieve this fascinating process with a tetrahedral Lewis acid.     

Synthesis and tautomerism of 2-aryl- and 2-heteroaryl derivatives of benzimidazole

Benzimidazoles containing furyl and thienyl substituents at C-2 were prepared by condensation of o-phenylenediamine and corresponding carboxylic acids in the presence of polyphosphoric acid. The 2-heteroarylbenzimidazoles showed tautomerism in dimethyl sulfoxide solution while 2-phenylbenzimidazole did not. The tautomerism appeared to be taking place by intermolecular relay of protons between stacked molecules.     

Gas-phase pyrolytic reactions. Part 6. [1] Behavior of ethyl (hetero)arylcarboxylate esters in thermal elimination reactions

Rates, Arrhenius parameters, and Hammett substituent constants are obtained for the gas-phase thermal elimination of ethyl benzoate (1) and ethyl 2—thienyl— (2), 3—thienyl— (3), 2—furyl— (4), 3—furyl— (5), 4—pyridyl— (6), 3—pyridyl— (7), and 2—pyridylcarboxylate (8) esters. The log A/s⁻¹ and the E_a/kJ mol⁻¹ values of these esters averaged 13.60 and 216.3, respectively. The present results are compared with data previously reported for the corresponding isopropyl and t-butyl analogues, and the findings are rationalized in terms of a plausible transition state for the elimination pathway. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 289–293, 1997.     

Directed Synthesis and Chemistry of Unsymmetric Dicationic Diboranes and Their Use in Frustrated Lewis Pair-like Chemistry

The chemistry of dicationic diboranes with two B^II atoms that are engaged in direct B−B bonding is by enlarge unexplored, although these molecules have intriguing properties due to their combined Lewis acidic and electron-donor properties. Unsymmetric dicationic diboranes are extremely rare, but especially attractive due to their polarized B−B bond. In this work we report the directed synthesis of several stable unsymmetric dicationic diboranes by reaction between the electron-rich ditriflato-diborane B₂(hpp)₂(OTf)₂ (hpp=1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-α]pyrimidinate) and phosphino-pyridines, establishing B−N and B−P bonds with the diborane concomitant with triflate elimination. In the case of 2-((ditertbutylphosphino)methyl)pyridine, the B−N bond is formed instantly, but the B−P bond formation requires (due to steric constraints) several days at ambient conditions for completion, creating an intermediate that could be used for frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)-like chemistry. Here we test its reaction with an aldehyde, and propose a new type of FLP-like chemistry.     

Nitrogen‐Based Lewis Acids: Synthesis and Reactivity of a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Nitrenium Cation

A room‐temperature‐stable crystalline cyclic (alkyl)(amino)nitrenium cation 2 features cationic nitrogen atom with a smaller HOMO–LUMO gap compared to that of a 1,2,3‐triazolium 5 (an N‐heterocyclic nitrenium cation). The low‐lying LUMO of 2 results in an enhanced electrophilicity, which allowed for the formation of Lewis adducts with neutral Lewis bases, such as Me₃P, nBu₃P, and IiPr. The N‐based Lewis acid 2 also forms an FLP with tBu₃P but subsequently reacts with (PrS)₂ to cleave the S?S bond. Both experimental and theoretical results suggest that the Lewis acidity of 2 is stronger than its N₃ analogues.     

An efficient preparation of new homoallylamines and α‐aminonitriles bearing furyl and thienyl rings

New diverse N‐aryl‐N‐[1‐furyl(thienyl)but‐3‐enyl]amines (homoallylamines) or 2‐(N‐arylmethylamino)‐2‐furyl(thienyl)acetonitriles (α‐aminonitriles) were easily prepared in good to excellent yields by an indium‐mediated Barbier‐type reaction between N‐hetarylaldimines and allyl bromide in MeOH or a direct three component reaction between anilines, hetaryl aldehydes and trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of molecular iodine at room temperature, respectively. The entire set of amines was characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.